Combined ironing-board and step-ladder.



H. P, WHITE.

con/15mm) IRONING BOARD AND STEP LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9, I915.

Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1 bvi hwoow H. P. WHITE.

COMBINED IRONING BOARD AND STEP LADDER. APPLICATION HLED FEB. 9, 1915.

Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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on no HARRY P. WHITE, F ALBANY, GBEGON.

COMBINED IBONING-BGARD AND STEP-LADDER.

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Application filed February 9, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Harry P. V'Vrrrrn, acitizen of the United States, residing at Albany, in the county of Linnand State of Oregon, have invented new and useful limprovements inCombined Ironing-Boards and Step-Ladders, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a combined ironing board and step ladder.

The invention has for its object to produce a device of the classdescribed of simple and improved construction in which a step ladderwill be conveniently utilized as one of the supports for an ironing boarA further object of the invention is to produce a simple and improveddevice wherein the step ladder is pivotally connected with one end ofthe ironing board, the latter constituting the support whereby the stepladder may be maintained in an upright position for operation.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and effectiveautomatic locking device whereby the device when ex tended for use as anironing board will be held in perfect security against accidentaldisplacement of the parts.

\Vith these and other ends in view which will readily appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in theimproved construction and novel arrangement and combination of partswhich will be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed outin the claim.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated asimple and preferredform of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitationis necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited,but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of theclaim may be resorted to when desired.

In the drawings,Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the deviceadjusted for use as an ironing board. Fig. 2 is a perspective Viewshowing the device adjusted for use as a step ladder. Fig. 3 is aninverted plan view showing the device folded with the ironing boarddownward. Fig. 4 is longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 inFig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 inFig. ":1:- Fig. 6 is a side View showing the device folded. Fig. 7 is adetail plan view of the locking yoke detached. Fig. 8 is a detailSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. "2', 12%16.

Serial No. 7,185.

view in side elevation of one of the ratchet members engaged by thelocking yoke, de tached.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by likecharacters of reference.

The ironing board 15, which is of the customary shape, tapered at oneend, is pro vided at its wide end with a eleat 16 which is firmlysecured on the underside thereof by means of screws, bolts or otherdevices whereby strength and rigidity will be as sured. The cleat 16 isprovided at the ends thereof with trunnions 17 on which the upper endsof the side rails 18 of the step ladder are pivoted, said side railsbeing connected together at intervals by means of steps 19 which combinewith said side rails 18 to form a step ladder.

Pivotally connected with the side rails 18 adjacent to the outer facesand intermediate the ends thereof are the side members 20 of a frame Fwhich combines with the step ladder to form a support for the ironingboard. The side members 20 are connected together at the ends thereof bycross bars 21, 22, the latter of which is adapted to be placed inengagement with ratchet bars 23 on the underside of the ironing boardfor the purpose of sustaining the latter in position for operation. Theironing board is also provided on the underside thereof with hook 24adapted to be engaged by a yoke 25, the limbs of which are pivotallyconnected with the side rails of the step ladder.

The cross bar 22 of the supporting frame F is secured on the edges ofthe side members 20 which are uppermost when the device is used as anironing board. By thus mounting the said cross bar it will fold downflat against the edges of the side rails 18 when the device iscollapsed, thus permitting the device to fold in very small compass withthe side members 20 lying adjacent to the side rails 18. The cross bar21 extends between the inner faces of the side members 20 with respectto which it is disposed obliquely or slantingly and in such a positionthat when the device is collapsed the upper ends of the side rails 18will fold within the frame inside of the cross bar 21.

In connection with the supporting frame F, and for the purpose ofpreventing accidental disengagement of the cross bar 22 of said framefrom the ratchet bars 23 when the device is extended for use as anironing board, I employ a locking yoke 27 formed of a light metal rod ora stout wire, as seen in Fig. 7, the limbs of said yoke being providedwith terminal pintles 28 pivotally engaging the side members 20 of theframe F, near the ends of said members which are connected by the crossbar 21, the limbs of the yoke lying adjacent to the outer faces of theside members 20. The bridge piece 29 of the yoke extends through slots30 in the side rails 18 of the step ladder, preferably between the twolowermost steps 19, suchslots being usually formed in devices of thisclass for the sake of lightness. On the faces of the side rails 18 aresecured ratchet members 31 which may be conveniently and inexpensivelyformed of sheet metal and which may be secured in place by means ofscrews 32. V

In the use of this device when it is placed flat on the floor with theironing board uppermost, the operator by placing a foot on the cross bar21 and lifting on the wide end i of the ironing board with which the topend of the step ladder is connected will cause the lower end of saidladder to slide in the direction of the cross bar 21, the frame F beingtilted until the cross bar 22 passes in engagement with the ratchet bars23, therein an upright position and the narrow end of the board is movedoutward from the V a step ladder and which when not in use may be foldedand stored away in small compass. w

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is I V Anironing board, a step ladder having side rails pivotally connected withsaid board, said side rails having slots and ratchet members secured onthe faces thereof ad acent the said slots, a supporting frame havingside members pivoted on the side rails, a cross bar secured on the edgesof the side members at one end thereof, and a I cross bar extendingbetween the side members at the other end thereof, said last mentionedcross bar lying beyond the end of the ironing boardwhen folded, ratchetbars on the under face of the ironing board adapted to be engaged by thefirst mentioned cross bar, and a locking yoke having limbs pivoted onthe side members of the supporting frame and a bridge piece extendingthrough the slots in the side rails of the ladder and adapted forengagement with the ratchet members adjacentto said slots simultaneouslywith the engagement of the cross bar of the supporting frame with theratchet bars on the under face of the ironing board.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C.

